The Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM), one of the flagship projects of Agenda 2063 of the African Union,was launched during the 30th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the Union held on 28 and 29 January 2018 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
The SAATM seeks to advance economic integration and liberalise air travel as a true manifestation of the political will of African leaders.
Consequently, it is anticipated that the continent will gain from job creation, increased GDP, improved connectivity through the launching of new routes, increased tourism, lower ticket prices, and collaboration among airlines.
Since the launch of the market in 2018, the number of States that have signed the solemn commitment has continued to increase, rising from twenty-three to thirty-eight today, with Malawi acceding to it in 2025.
It should be observed that twenty-six of these States have signed the memorandum for the implementation of the Yamoussoukro and SAATM Implementation Decision adopted in Lomé in May 2018.
Furthermore, twenty States have now joined the SAATM Pilot Implementation Project, which was launched in Dakar in November 2022 with the objective of encouraging all Member States to expedite the implementation of the Yamoussoukro and SAATM Decision. Progress made so far with the implementation of the SAATM includes the following, in particular:
• The creation of 113 new routes, including nineteen in operation with fifth freedom traffic rights
• The number of passengers transported along these new routes is estimated at over three million
• An increase in connectivity by 23%, compared to 19% in 2023; and
• The signing of more than 80 bilateral air service agreements between African States.
The President of the Council of the Togolese Republic, His Excellency Mr Faure Essozimna GNASSINGBE, the Champion on SAATM, is continuing his advocacy with his Peers to ensure the accession of all African States, as well as with technical and financial partners, to provide support to the African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC), the executing agency of the Yamoussoukro and SAATM Decision.
In addition, as part of the monitoring of the implementation of SAATM, the Champion granted audience to the Secretary-General of AFCAC in January 2025, during which he underscored the importance of proactive measures to move the SAATM Agenda forward and assured the AFCAC of his continuous support for initiatives that promote regional integration and economic development through aviation.
As part of its role as the executing agency of the Yamoussoukro and SAATM Decision, and in addition to actions intended to support the States in the implementation of the single market, the AFCAC has taken the following actions, in particular:
• Developed a model for the economic regulation of air transport
• Initiated a review of the Yamoussoukro Decision in order to align it with best international practices to lift existing restrictions and ensure the full liberalisation of the market
• Established the Board of Directors of the Aviation Dispute Resolution Mechanism to thenceforth provide legal security to States and users, and Carried out studies on:
i. Freight services and the liberalisation of commercial routes to support the SAATM and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA)
ii. Socio-economic advantages of aviation, and
iii. Competition in the African aviation market.
In spite of the progress made, some challenges persist. These are, among others, the worrying delay on the part of some States to join the market, protectionist policies applied by certain States in favour of their national carriers, poor cooperation among airlines and the lack of harmonised regulations.
To address these challenges, the Champion on SAATM will continue to advocate with his Peers to ensure the full accession of African States.
Thus, to ensure a coordinated implementation of the SAATM, a high-level meeting on African air transport will be held in Lomé in June 2026 under the auspices of the Champion.
